"Perfectly, Miss Dudley! And I declare to you this moment that you
are a model of propriety!"

"O-o-h! Don't I look awfully puffed up? Now you'll think me
silly! But I've talked long enough about David and me. I'm dying
to tell you how glad, glad, glad I was last evening every time I
looked your way! I almost forgot the birthday girl for thinking of
you! Wasn't Mr. Randolph lovely? And didn't you have a dandy
time? Why, he kept as close to you as if you 'd been engaged to
him! He--"

"Oh, Polly, don't talk that silly stuff! I won't hear it!" Miss
Sterling got up hurriedly and went to her work-table, apparently
hunting for something in her spool basket.

"Why, Miss Nita!" Polly's tone was grieved.

"Well, forgive me," came from over the array of threads and silks,
"but I do hate to hear you say such things!"

"I was only telling the truth," said Polly plaintively. "I thought
you were having a lovely time--you looked as if you were! Doodles
spoke of it."

"Yes, I dare say I looked and acted like an old fool!"

"Miss Nita! You couldn't! You looked too sweet for anything, and I
guess he thought so--"

"Polly! what did I tell you?" She came back with a half-mended